United Way of Anderson County officials have announced that their latest campaign raised $1,277,771 toward a $1.4 million goal.

Subsequently, this has led to a $200,000 reduction in donations for its member organizations, a release stated.

The United Way also announced that, for the first time, a family is the new United Way campaign chairperson — the Crowe family.

As was reported in mid-April, United Way of Anderson County officials are taking measures to position themselves for this economic downturn. The most recent information indicates officials are “diversifying their revenue” by encouraging new fundraising approaches, pursuing major gifts and introducing employee fundraising campaigns at several new businesses.

“Though it was a challenging campaign, we saw more than a 32 percent average increase in contributions from more than a dozen companies,” 2012 UWAC campaign chair Tom Hilton (of Y-12 Federal Credit Union) noted in an April 11 article published by The Oak Ridger.

The increase in donations from these aforementioned companies raised more than $53,000, according to the UWAC. Additionally, officials this year grew “the Pillar Society” of major donors — those who gave $1,000-plus — and secured their second Alexis de Tocqueville donor, which is someone who gives $10,000 annually.

UWAC has also taken measures to control expenses. In fact, the most recent release stated the United Way of Anderson County’s operating budget is 1.5 percent less than it was eight years ago.

“Organizations tend to swell their operations during strong years only to painfully adjust during lean years,” the release stated. “UWAC avoided this pitfall and kept expenses moving downward for nearly a decade by increasing efficiency based on best practices in non-profit management.”

As UWAC board president Greta Ownby (of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce) announced last month, the organization’s message this year is “We are all in this together!” and the United Way of Anderson County is approaching this new campaign year with an even greater focus on the multiple agencies it serves throughout the county and throughout the year.

“We want to share all the positive programs — and all of the outcomes — our United Way of Anderson County agencies provide this community,” UWAC executive director Rick Morrow stated.

“This campaign year, our agencies across the county will host open houses so that the public can see first hand their donations at work, he said.”

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United Way hosted its annual meeting and campaign announcement on April 18 in the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

Patrick of Tech 20/20 was this year's United Way Volunteer of the Year. He was recognized for his six years on the United Way board of directors and three years as the fund distribution president.

Every year, UWAC selects a community leader to steer the annual campaign. And, in keeping with its “We are all in this together!” theme, United Way for the first time has a family serving as campaign chair.

The Crowe family includes Edwena and Charles Crowe and their children Rebecca and Nicholas. Edwena is with B&W Y-12, Charles is president and CEO of LeGacy Resource Corp., Rebecca is with Oak Ridge Associated Universities and Nicholas is with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“We are thrilled to have the Crowe family leading ‘the charge’ this year,” stated UWAC board president Ownby.

“They are each deeply committed to this community and having Rebecca and Nicholas leading a new effort to reach young professionals is so exciting!”

Outgoing campaign chair Hilton spoke fondly of his involvement with this year's efforts and the support provided by United Way of Anderson County’s staff and volunteers to serve the increasing needs of the entire county, a release stated.

Hilton also recognized the local United Way’s following “Top 10” businesses for running exemplary campaigns, including an additional $11,500 corporate gift from ORNL Federal Credit Union.

• UT Battelle-ORNL: $253,242

• B&W Y-12: $218,178

• ORAU: $105,573

• American Centrifuge Manufacturing: $60,554

• AMETEK: $42,978

• ORNL Federal Credit Union: $39,183

• UCOR: $38,327

• Y-12 Federal Credit Union: $29,600

• Bechtel National: $21,380

• Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge: $19,729

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“The Children's Museum of Oak Ridge was so generous to host (this year’s annual meeting of the United Way of Anderson County),” stated UWAC resource development director Jennifer Pettyjohn. “Not only were we able to reduce event expenses, but it was a wonderful way to begin our agency-centered campaign approach.”

Pettyjohn also pointed out that Children’s Museum deputy director Carroll Welch “was busy giving post-event tours to guests who hadn’t yet visited the museum.” Which was appropriate because, as the United Way of Anderson County is apt to repeat this year, “We are all in this together!”